Private bus bays required in 2020 will be 550, says study

After having studied Physics at Scott Christian College and Journalism at the Asian College of Journalism, Aloysius now covers civic issues, urban planning and development for The Hindu in Chennai. Fo...
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A draft feasibility report of the study commissioned for the redevelopment of Chennai Contract Carriage Bus Terminus (CCCBT) in Koyambedu was submitted to the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority on Monday.

According to the report, the number of private bus bays required in 2020 would be 550. The bus bays would have to be increased to 625 in 2025 and to 700 in 2030. The existing facility on 2.73 hectares would have to be increased to 4.35 hectares for the redevelopment.

The two important components of the redevelopment are the modern bus terminus and commercial development component, Susan Mathew, CMDA vice-chairperson told TheHindu.

The study covers aspects such as assessment of the increase in demand for the CCCBT in 20 years. It also includes the prospects for commercial exploitation of airspace in the terminus. “The project is feasible,” said Ms. Mathew, adding that the study has also recommended an underground parking facility for other private vehicles coming to the terminus.

“The commercial exploitation of the terminus would be limited to travel and transport related offices, banks and restaurants,” she added. The study has recommended that the project should be implemented on the public private partnership mode in which the private entity would design, finance, construct and transfer after a certain period of time.

The expansion would cover space for idle parking of buses too. The CCCBT was inaugurated in August 2003 to have an organised place for the omni bus operators. Apart from 68 bus bays, it has 124 bays for idle parking, 51 travel agency offices, 22 shops and 14 passenger waiting halls with a capacity to seat 120 persons. The CMDA is likely to do some more fact-finding on the rental potential of the proposed expansion project.

The final report is expected to be submitted next month, Ms. Mathew said.